Microtia (congenitally absent ears)
Key benefits:
- Improves self-esteem
- Reconstruction with own cartilage produces a ear that requires little to almost
no maintenance required - Minimal scar/deformity in donor areas
Procedure details:
- Surgery is done after the age of 12 under general anaesthesia
- Surgery involves 2 stages, about 6 -12 months apart
- The first stage involves construction and insertion of the ear framework, and
the second stage involve elevation of the reconstructed ear
What is microtia?
Microtia is a congenital defect of the external ear.
Who does it affect?
This condition occurs 1 in 7000 – 8000 births. There is a male to female ratio of 2:1. It more commonly affects the right side of the face (ratio of right : left : bilateral = 5:3:1 ). It is more common in Asians than Caucacians.
What is Ear Reconstruction (Nagata Technique) like?
Procedure: Reconstruction of the external ear using the Nagata Technique involves 2 stages:
1st stage procedure
1) Harvesting of the rib cartilages on the same side as the absent ear
2) Creating a 3-D framework out of the harvested cartilages
3) Implanting the 3-D framework into the site of the missing ear
![](https://www.sw1clinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/plasticearmicro5.jpg)
2nd stage procedure (6 months after 1st stage procedure)
Involves lifting the reconstructed ear off the side of the scalp
![](https://www.sw1clinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/plasticearmicro7.jpg)
What is the Recovery Time?
Patients generally take 2-4 weeks to recover.
*Results may vary according to individuals.